Apparatus for treating grains



June 13, 1933. L. w. LARSEN APPARATUS FOR TREATING GRAINS 5 Sheeis-Sheetl Driginal Filed June 18, 1930 A TTOPNEY June 13, 1933.

L. W. LARSEN APPARATUS FOR TREAT IN G GRA I NS Original Filed June 18,1980 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 A TTGlP/VEY June, 9 1933 L. w. LARSEN 1,914,34

APPARATUS FOR TREATING GRA INS Original Filed June 18, 1930 3Sheets-Sheet 3 & H

IN vE/v 70m:

Patented June 13, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LAWRENCE W. LAiRSEN,OF MARINETTE, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR T ANSUL CHEMICAL COMPANY, OFMARINETTE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORATION OF WISCONSIN APPARATUS FOR TREATINGGRAINS Original application filed June 18, 1930, Serial No. 462,058.Divided and this application filed September 18, 1930. Serial No.482,777.

The invention relates to an improved ap paratus which is especiallyadapted for sulphurizing grains for the purpose of removing stain, mustand mold from such grains as oats, barley and the like.

' The present application relates to the apparatus disclosed in mycopending application Serial No. 462,058 filed June 18, 1930, in whichthe corresponding process is m claimed, and constitutes, in effect, a.division of that application.

The bleaching of grain, and particularly oat-s and barley, by treatmentwith the fumes of burning sulphur is an old and established practice. Inits essentials, this prior practice consists in treating a stream ofgrain descending through a tower with a mixture of steam, or steam andWater and the fumes of the burning sulphur. The forms of apparatus thathave been employed are varied but in all of them known to me thetreatment comprises the essential steps here mentioned. In these priortreatments the bleaching action is, of course, due to the formation onthe grains of sulphurous acid resulting from the absorption by thecondensed moisture of the sulphurous oxide fumes.

The prior methods of treatment referred to have several seriousdisadvantages. First,

9 the grain is warmed to such an extent by the use of the steam that thebleaching treatment must ordinarily be followed by some coolingtreatment such as passing it through an aspirator or through an elevatorone or more times, to prevent undue heating of the grain subsequently.Second, it has not been possible to control the amount of moistureintroduced into the grain closely enough to prevent excess moisture andthe resultant necessity of partially drying the grain after treatment toprevent overheating during subsequent storage. Third, the volume ofgases which must be handled in the prior treatments is extremely largebecause the sulphur fumes are largely diluted with air or nitrogen sothat it is necessary to use a treating tower of large size in proportionto the quantity of grain treated. ourth, the cost of installingapparatus such as the prior sulphurizing treatments require isrelatively high, a typical apparatus comprising a large concrete andsteel tower, an oven type sulphur burner and or treating agent can becontrolled with nicety; 3) the provision of apparatus by which anefiective sulphurizing of the grain can be carried out withoutoverheating or overmoistening of the grain with the resultant avoidanceof the labor and expense of rehandling the grain to cool and dry it; (4)the provision of apparatus by which the grain to be treated can beeffectively sulphurized at a rapid rate Without the handling of a largevolume of air or other gases; the provision of apparatus which isadapted to effective y and efficiently sulphurized the grain to betreated and which at the same time is exceedingly simple inconstruction, of low first cost and capable of being maintained at verymoderate cost; 6) the provision of apparatus by which the grain can beefiectively sulphurized and which can readily be assembled and operatedunder widely varying conditions as to the handling and housing orstoring of the grain; (7) the provision of grain sulphurizing apparatusadapted to be conveniently and effectively employed in grain elevatorand storage buildings without incurring any added fire hazard; and otherobjects, more or less incidental or ancillary to the foregoing, whichwill be apparent from the following description.

My improved apparatus forthe sulphurizing of grain comprises means fordiffusing the grain to be treated, as by showering or streaming it intoa bin or chamber, means for spraying it while in the diffused state andwith water in predetermined amount to suitably moisten it, and means,acting either simultaneously with or immediately after the s raying withwater, to spray the grain with liquid sulphur dioxide in predeterminedamounts. When the grain is sprayed si taneously with water and S0 thetwo liq s combine, forming a cloud-like body of sulphurous acid throughwhich the grain passes so that the individual kernels are effectivelycoated with the acid. When the S0 spray follows the water spray thesulphur dioxide dissolves in the film of moisture on the individualgrains or kernels, forming thereon a coating of sulphurous acid. Ineither case, by proper control of the moisture and the liquid S0 whichis readily accomplished by means of my apparatus, the amount andconcentration of the sulphurous acid can be nicely controlled to effectthe desired treatment.

In order that my improved apparatus, the manner of treating grain withit and the numerous advantages attaching to it may be clearly understoodand appreciated, I shall now describe a preferred form thereof inconnection with typical grain elevator structures and appliances.

In the accompanying drawings, Fig. 1 is a more or less schematicvertical section of a grain elevator fitted with my improved apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary section on the line 22 through the conveyorgallery of the elevator.

Fig. 2 isa fragmentary view showing a construction detail.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of one form of my improvedtreating apparatus arranged at the grain inlet opening at the top of oneof the storage bins.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 1-4, Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a vertical section on the line 5-5. Fig. 4:, i. e. at rightangles'to the section of Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 is a view similar or corresponding to Fig. 3 showing a modifiedform of the treating apparatus.

Referring in detail to the apparatus illustrated and first to Figs. 1 to5. inclusive, Fig. 1 illustrates a typical form of grain elevatorcomprising a main or working house 1, a series of cylindrical storagebins 2 which are arranged in two rows (Fig. 2), and which are topped bya conveyor. gallery 3.

The working house 1 is provided with one or more elevator legs 4. Theelevator .t ha

its boot 4' arranged below the normal ground level at the bottom of theworkin house and its discharge head 4 at the top 0 the house. At theground level the working house is provided with a grain receiving pit 5over which freight cars may run and discharge their contents, asindicated in Fig. 1. The pit 5 has its discharge spout arranged todeliver into the boot 4 of the elevator leg. The working housealsocontains one or more shipping and treating bins 6. Each such bin isfitted at its lower end with a discharge spout 6 arranged to delivergrain into freight cars, as indicated, and with a discharge spout 6which is arranged to deliver into the boot 4 of the elevator leg. Thehead of the elevator leg has its discharge spout 4 arranged to deliverinto a distributing hopper 7 at the top of the house and this hopper hasbottom discharge spouts one of which 7 is adapted to discharge into thebin 6 and another of which 7 is arranged to discharge into a garnerhopper 8 which in turn is arranged to discharge into a scale hopper 9.

The scale hopper 9 is arranged to discharge in turn upon the maindistributing belt conveyor 10 which extends from the working housethrough the gallery 3 which tops the storage bins 2. The conveyor 10 isprovided with a tripper or a throwoff carriage which is designated as anentirety by 11 and which runs upon track rails 12 extendinglongitudinally of the gallery. As shown in Fig. 2 the tripper isprovided with two discharge spouts 13, 13 which extend from oppositesides of the tripper to deliver grain discharged from the conveyor intothe top or receiving openings of either row of bins.

The storage bins 2 have hopper bottoms 2 and discharge spouts 2 whichare arranged to discharge grain upon a conveyor 14 which extends beneaththe storage bins and has its delivery end arranged within the workinghouse 1 to discharge into a chute 15 which is arranged to deliver graininto the elevator boot 4*.

All of the foregoing structural features and apparatus are typical ofpresent day grain elevator practice and will be readily understood bythose familiar with such structures without further description andexplanation.

Referring now more particularly to my in1- proved apparatus andequipment by which the elevator plant illustrated is adapted for thecarrying out of the sulphurizing treatment, Figs. 3, 4 and 5 illustratea preferred form of apparatus for sprayinggrain, as it is dischargedfrom the conveyor tripper into the storage bins, with the water and withthe liquid sulphur dioxide. The top wall 2 of each storage bin, (thesetop walls of the bins also constituting the floor of the conveyorgallery 3), is formed with a grain receiving opening 2 of rectangularoutline. For the purpose of treating the grain as it leaves the tripperspout 13 and is showered through the receiving opening 2 into the bin, Iprovide a water spraying equipment comfprising a rec.- tangular sprayinghead 16, formed of suitable pipe sections and fittings, which isconnected at one corner with a supply pipe 17 and is litted with aseries of spray nozzles 18 which extend downward and inward at aninclination of 45, there being six of these water spraying nozzles inthe construction illustrated. The supply pipe 17 is fitted with a manualcontrol valve 19 by which the pressure in the rectangular spray head 16can be varied at will and the supply pipe 17 is also fitted on thedischarge side of the control valve 19 with a pressure gauge 20 by whichthe operator can be guided in adjusting the valve 19 to secure thedesired pressure on the spray nozzles.

Similarly the spraying apparatus is provided with a straight spray head21 for liquid sulphur dioxide, said spray .head consisting of pipesections and fittings, and this spray head is fitted with a pair ofspray nozzles 22, 22 which extend directly downward. To the spray head21 is connected a supply pipe 23 which is fitted with a manual controlvalve 24 and a pressure gauge 25. I The spray nozzles 22 should be madeof material that will not be corroded by sulphurous acid fumes. Spraynozzles of the type used in the manufacture of chamber acid are suitablefor this purpose and I have found Monarch chamber sprays having a 7 mm.orifice very satisfactory. I have also found it convenient to use thesame nozzles for the water sprays 18. This particular spray nozzle ismade witha lead body and porcelain tips and is not attacked by thesulphurous acid fumes.

As indicated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, the rectangular spray head 16 is madeof a size to rest upon the floor 2 with its nozzles projecting into thefloor opening, While the spray head 21 rests upon the spray head 16 andis disposed on the longitudinal axis of the latter. To hold the twospray heads in this assembled relation to each other, I provide arectangular wood frame 26 which fits around the spray head 16 and isformed with notches on its under side to accommodate the supply pipe 17and the spray head 21. ,To prevent the escape of sulphurous fumes fromthe bin into the conveyor gallery and elevator house, the tripper spout13 is fitted with a skirt 27 of heavy, closely woven canvas and thelower edge of this skirt is secured to the rectangular frame 26.

Water is supplied to the spray apparatus by means of a hose pipe 28which may be conveniently supported on the side wall of the gallery 3 byhooks 29 and which is connected to a water supply pipe 30 which extendsupward from the source of water supply at the baseof the working house,through said house to the, gallery level. To insure the delivery of thewater at suitable pressure to the s ray nozzles, I provide at the baseof the worliing house a motor driven pump 31 which may suitably beasmall gear pump provided with a pressure by-pass valve whichautomatically.

insures delivery of the water at the desired pressure. In installing awater supply line it is to be borne in mind that grain elevators areusually below freezing temperature in cold weather. The upright Watersupply line 30 can readily be drained when the grain treating apparatusis not in use, but as there is more diflieulty in draining a horizontalline running through the conveyor gallery I prefer to use the hose'line28 to carry the water from the upright water pipe 30 to the spraynozzles.

Liquid S0 is delivered to the supply pipe 23 of the spray head 21 bymeans of a section of flexible copper tubing 32 which is coupled at oneend to the supply pipe 23 of the spray head 21 and at its other end hasa cut-off valve fitting 32 which is adapted to be removably coupled to aliquid SO supply pipe or tube 33 at any one of the series of valvedfittings 34 with which the tube 33 is provided at intervalscorresponding to the spacing of the series of storage bins 2, 2. By

closing the cut-off valves in the fittings 32 and 34, the tube 32 can beuncoupled from the supply line 33 and moved to any other one of thefittings 34. The tube 33 extends along the wall of the gallery 3 and inturn connects with an upright supply pipe 5 that extends downwardthrough the working house to a supply tank 36. This supply tank isfitted with a motor driven air pump 37 which forces the liquid $0 fromthe tank through the tubes 35, 33 and 32 to the spray head.

To provide for the free escape of excess sulphurous fumes from the bins,each bin which is to be used in the treating of the grain is fitted witha vent pipe 38 (Fig. 2) which extends through the side wall of thegallery house and has its downwardly projec-ting outer end open to theatmosphere. It will be understood that during the treating of the grainthe bin gradually fills with grain thereby displacing air which must bevented. This air becomes mixed with the sulphurous fumes and it is thismixture of air and fumes which is carried to the outer atmospherethrough the vent 38.

In order that the operation of the apparatus in carrying out thesulphurizing treatment may be clearly understood,I will now describe thebleaching of grain, oats for example, using the apparatus which has beendescribed. The grain to be bleached, which may be drawn either from thereceiving pit 5 of the elevator or from some one of the storage bins 2or even from one of the shipping bins 6 in the main working house, is inany case delivered into the boot 4' of the elevator 4 by which it islifted to the top of the house and delivered into the hopper 7 and incase the treated grain is to be delivered into one of the storage bins2, the said grain is discharged from the hopper 7 through the garner 8and into the scale hopper 9 from which it may be discharged at asuitable predetermined rate upon the belt conveyor 10. The rate ofdischarge of grain upon the belt conveyor can readily be controlled byadjusting the discharge slide of the scale hopper until the discharge ofgrain is at the desired rate as shown by the scales.

The tripper 11 having been positioned to discharge into the particularbin 2 in which the bleached grain is to be stored, the spray apparatusis connected up with the tripper discharge spout 13 with the spray headsproperly positioned in relation to the inlet opening of the bin and thewater and sulphur dioxide lines are connected in the manner previouslyindicated. l/Vhenthe flow of grain starts, the water and liquid S0valves are quickly adjusted to positions which give the desired pressureupon the spray nozzles as indicated by the respective pressure gauges 20and 25. The pressures at whichthe water and liquid S0 supply valves areset will depend upon the rate of flow of the grain and upon theconcentration of the liquid treating agent which it is desired to applyto the grain. Apparatus such as I have illustrated and described iscapable for treating from 5,000 to 7 ,500 bushels of grain per hour. Forthe treatment of 7.500-bushels of oats per hour, with spray nozzles ofthe character previously specified, the water should be sprayed at apressure of approximately 17 pounds per square inch and the liquid S02should be sprayed at a pressure of approximately 21 pounds per squareinch. This will apply to the grain approximately 1% by weight of waterand 0.12 of a pound of sulphur dioxide per bushel. These amounts ofwater and sulphur dioxide per bushel of grain are suitable for anordinary or typical case of grain requiring bleaching. It will, ofcourse, be understood that the amount of water used will vary with thedegree of dryness of the grain to be treated and that the amount ofsulphur dioxide will vary with the condition of the grain in otherrespects so as to give a sulphurous acid of suitable concentration to dothe work. According to my experience in the use of the process, theamount of water which should be sprayed upon the grain will fall withinthe range of 1% to 3% of the weight of the grain and the amount ofliquid sulphur dioxide employed will fall within the range of 0.05pounds to 0.50 pounds per bushel of grain, although in the greatmajority of cases the sulphur dioxide required will probably be withinthe range of 0.1 to 0.3 pounds per bushel of grain.

Obviousl by making a series of tests the spray nozzlbs employed caneasily be calibrated so that the weight of water and liquid S0respectively, delivered at different pressures may be known and anydesired amount of water and liquid SO applied per bushel of grain. Asthe sulphur dioxide, as well as the water, is metered in the liquidstate the control of the treating agent as well as of the water is veryaccurate and dependable and any desired concentration of sulphurous acidmay be applied to the grain.

As the grain delivered from the tripper spout is struck by the sprays ofwater and liquid SO the individual grains or kernels are given aresulting coating of sulphurous acid and, thus coated, the grain fallsinto the bin. As the grain lies in quiescent state in the bin thebleaching action proceeds and is ordinarily complete within twenty-fourhours. The close control of the moisture which is supplied to the grainmakes it possible to avoid adding moisture in excess of what mayproperly be added without the danger of causing overheating of thegrain; and also the use of water at ordinary temperatures of the room orsurrounding atmosphere, rather than steam or hot vapors of water whichcharacterizes former processes, avoids heating of the grain.Consequently it is not necessary to subject the grain after treatment toany further handling to effect drying or cooling. Thus grain can be veryrapidly treated as it is delivered into the storage bins withpractically no more labor and handling than would be required ineffecting the storage without the treatment.

Obviously the apparatus employed to apply the treating reagent to thegrain may take a great variety of forms. While for most purposes Iprefer the form of spraying apparatus illustrated in Figs. 3, 4 and 5,because of its low cost, simplicity, portability, ease of handling andgeneral effectiveness, the specific form of the apparatus can be widelyvaried in carrying out my invention, and as illustrative of suchvariation I have shown a modified construction in connection with theshippingbin 6 in the working house of the elevator shown in Fig. 1. Inthis construction the top wall 6 of the bin 6 has its grain inletopening supplied with a floor plate 39 in the threaded opening of whichis adjustably mounted the grain hopper 40 which is arranged to receivethe grain from the spout 7 of the hopper 7 (Fig. 1). Withinthe bin anddirectly below the discharge of the hopper 40 is arranged a corrugateddis persing cone 41 from which the grain flows in a diffused state as itis discharged into the bin. A water spray head 42 is supplied with aseries of depending spray nozzles 43 which are arranged to spray waterupon the diffused grain as it flows over and is discharged from the cone41. The spray head 12 is supplied 48, 48 which are arranged horizontallyto project a spray of liquid S0 upon the grain as it is discharged fromthe cone 41. The spray head 47 is supplied with liquid S0 by a tube 49which connects with the main supply tube 35. The tube 49 is fitted witha control valve 50 and a pressure gauge 51. The discharge slide of thehopper 7 can be calibrated to regulate the rate of flow of grain throughthe spout 7 a and in addition the flow of grain over the dispersing cone41 can be controlled by turning the hopper 40 to adjust it upward anddownward in relation to the cone 41.

The bin 6 is preferably provided with a vent 52 for discharge of excessair and fumes from the'bin in the manner described in connection withthe bins 2.

It will be seen that grain can be treated in connection with the bin 6and either immediately discharged into freight cars after the treatmentis completed or the bin can, after the treatment is complete, bedischarged through the spout 6 into the boot of the elevator 4 andthence lifted and delivered by the conveyor 10 into any one of thestorage bins 2.

From a comparison of the two forms of spraying apparatus that have beendescribed, it will be apparent that such apparatus can take a greatvariety of forms, the essential things being to provide suitable spraynozzles properly mounted to spray the grain while in a diffused statewith water and with the liquid bleaching or treating agent, and toprovide means by which the rates of flow of the two liquids can bereadily and nicely controlled.

However, a comparison of the spraying apparatus of Fig. 6 with thatillustrated in Figs. 3,4 and 5 makes readily apparent the markedsimplicity and the ready adaptability of the latter form. It will beobserved that while the water and liquid S0 spray heads are effectivelyheld in working relation by the simple wooden frame 26, it is possibleto quickly separate the two spray heads by simply lifting off the frame26, whereupon the several parts of the spray apparatus can very easilybe picked up and moved from bin to bin by simply disconnecting the S0tube from the supply line 33.

On the other hand some elevators or grain storage houses do not havecovered bins fed by conveyor belt and tripper. In such instances it maybe advisable to devote a single bin to the sulphurizing treatment and afixed installation of the spraying apparatus, such as is shown in Fig.6, is entirely suitable in these latter cases.

My improved apparatus for treating grain has numerous advantages whichwill be readily appreciated by those familiar with the prior forms ofapparatus and methods" of treatment. By avoiding the use of steam andthe consequent heating of the grain I avoid the necessity of asubsequent handling of the grain to cool it and prevent its overheatingin storage. In addition, by not heating the grain I am enabled to applyto it a more concentrated sulphurous acid since the solubility ofsulphur dioxide and water varies with the temperature, being much higherat moderate temperatures than at the high temperatures caused by the useof steam in prior apparatus and methods of sulphurizing. The moreconcentrated sulphurous acid attained by my treatment makes possible amore rapid and eifective treatment of the grain. Indeed, grain treatedin the manner herein described with my improved apparatus is completelybleached at the end of twenty-four hours after the spraying treatment.

The advantage incident to the avoidance of introducing an excess ofmoisture into the grain is quite obvious as that obviates the labor andexpense of handling the grain to elfect drying following thesulphurizing treatment. Furthermore, the close control of the moistureis advantageous because of the laws and regulations relating topermissible amounts of moisture in grain that is marketed.

By applying the treating agent directly to the grain in liquid form andavoiding the introduction of air or other diluent gases into thetreating bin or chamber, I, at the same time, secure marked efliciencyandeitectiveness of bleaching and avoid the serious problem of handlinglarge volumes of air or gaseswhich has characterized prior sulphurizingtreatments. I am thus enabled, by the use of very simple and inexpensiveapparatus, to treat grain effectively at a relatively rapid rate. Thusthe simple treating apparatus Which I have illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5is capable of treating 7,500 bushels of grain per .hour, whereas byprior methods known to me diffuse state and in part to the fact that thecloud or mist of sulphurous acid formed by bringing the liquid S0 andwater together settles upon the grain in the bin as it accumulatestherein and only a relatively small part of the mist is carried outthrough the ventilating flue and lost.

. Furthermore, by applying the pure liquid S0 directly to the grain Idelay the formation of the sulphurous acid until the actual point ofapplication to the grain and thus greatly lessen corrosive effects uponmetal parts of the apparatus and correspondingly reduce upkeep charges.

The absence from my apparatus of furnace or other heating equipmentmakes it feasible to install the apparatus in any building without anyadded fire hazard.

The marked simplicity and low cost of the apparatus illustrated,particularly the form in Figs. 1 to 5, and the ease with whlch suchapparatus can be installed for o ration under widely varying conditions,is elieved to be obvious.

While I have described specific forms of apparatus, it will beunderstood that the invention is not limited to any specific form exce tas indicated in the appended claims.

at I claim is:

1. In apparatus for treating grain, the combination of means fordiffusin to be treated; means for spraying t e di used grain with aredetermined amount of water per bushel 0 grain treated; and means foralso spraying the grain with a predetermined relative amount of a liquidreagent adapted to combine with the water to form on the grain a coatingof liquid bleaching agent.

2. In appearance for treatlng grain, the combination of a bin to receivethe grain to be treated; means for showering the grain to be treatedinto the bin in a diffused state and at a predetermined rate; means forspraying the difiused grain as it enters the bin with a predeterminedamount of water per bushel of grain treated; and means for also sprayingthe difiused grain with a predetermined relative amount of a liquidreagent adapted to combine with the water to form on the grain a coatingof liquid bleaching agent.

3. In apparatus for treating grain, the combination of a bin adapted toreceive the grain to be treated; means for showerin the grain to betreated into the bin in a di used state and at a predetermined rate; anozzle arranged to direct a spray of water on the diffused grain as itenters the bin; means for supplying water to said nozzle under apredetermined pressure; a nozzle arranged to direct a spray of liquidreagent on the diffused grain; and means for supplying the liquidreagent to the last mentioned nozzle under a predetermined pressure.

4. In apparatus for treating grain, the combination of a bin having aninlet opening at the top thereof to receive grain; means for showeringgrain to be treated through said inlet opening at a predetermined rate;a water spray head having a plurality of nozthe rain zles arranged tospray the grain delivered through the inlet opening; means for su plyingwater to said spray head at a pre etermlned pressure; a second liquidspray head having a plurality of nozzles arranged to erative relation toeach other and to the sand inlet opening.

5. In a grain handling and treating plant,

the combination of a plurality of adjacent bins having top inletopenings to receive grain; a conveyor gallery extending over the tops ofsaid bins; an endless belt conveyor in said gallery having a movabletripper adapted to discharge grain from the conveyor into the inletopenings of the bins alternatively; apparatus for spraying the grain asit is discharged into the bins from the conveyor com rising a waterspray head and a spray head or a liquid reagent adapted to combine withwater from the first spray head to form a liquid bleaching agent; pipesfor supplying water and liquid reagent, respectively, arranged in theconveyor gallery; and movable connections between the res ective supplypipes and the correspon ing spray heads, whereby the spraying apparatuscan be moved readily from one bin inlet open- I ing to another.

6. In a grain handling and treating plant, the combination of a workhouse; a grain elevator therein; an elevated grain hopper arranged toreceive grain from the top of the elevator; a plurality of grain binsadjacent to the work house; a conveyor galleryextending from the workhouse over the tops of the grain bins; an endless belt conveyorextending through the said gallery and comprising a tripper adapted todischarge grain through the top inlet openings of the grain binsalternatively means for spraying thegrain with a liquid bleaching agentadapted to be mounted in the inlet opening of any one of the said bins;pipes for supplying the liquid bleaching a ent arranged in the conveyorgallery; an movable connections between said pipes and said sprayingmeans, whereby the spraying means can be moved from one bin to anotherto permit treatment of the grain with the bleaching agent as the grainis delivered from the conveyor into any one of the plurality of bins.

7 In apparatus for treating grain, the combination of means fordiffusing the grain to be treated; means for spraying the diffused grainwith a predetermined amount of water per bushel of grain treated; andmeans for simultaneously spraying the difiused grain with apredetermined relative amount of liqion uid reagent adapted to combinewith the water to form on the grain a coating of liquid bleaching agent.

8. In apparatus for treating grain, the combination of means fordifl'usmg the grain to be treated; means for spraying the diffused grainwith a predetermined amount of water per bushel of grain treated; andmeans arranged to thereafter spray the grain while in the difiused statewith a predetermined relative amount of a liquid reagent adapted tocombine with the Water on the grain to form v thereon a coating ofliquid bleaching agent.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my signature.

LAWRENCE W. LARSEN.

